Writing implement



D CENA WRITING IMPLEMENT Filed Aug. 2, 1965 M, M Z M f/o,

United States Patent 3,310,035 Y WRITING IMPLEMENT Domenico Cena, Via Leini 25,

A Settimo Torinese, Italy` Y FiledrAug'. 2, 1,965, Ser. No. 476,242 Claims priority, application Italy, Mar. 3, 1965,

f I Y 4,861/ 65 1 Claim. (Cl. 1Z0-42.12)

The present invention relates to ball point writing implements in general and, more particularly, to ball point writing devices which contain a substantial plurality of ink cartridges of preferably different colors.

Heretofore especially such persons as custom designers, sketchers and artists in general, who are particularly in need of a substantially large number and variety of preferably colored writing implements have been at a loss in satisfying their need by means of one single writing implement.

The particular requirement of a consolidated plurality of multi-colored cartridges has been now satisfied by the device of the present invention, which is characterized by the combination of a single elongated carrier barrel or shaft having a first tapered extremity and a substantially larger second extremity to be closed by a preferably threaded head or stopper equipped with a centrally positioned sheath. The sheath houses the non-writing terminal of a cartridge (also commonly known as refill) and, when threaded to the shaft keeps the cartridge coaxially and centrally positioned with respect thereto. Circumferentially to the sheathed cartridge and positioned within a plurality of distinct cylindrical compartments are located the other cartridges.

These and other objects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof and from the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a cross-section of the empty and cartridge-less barrel of the implement of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional top view of the entire shaft taken along the sectional lines 2 2;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the writing implement with spare cartridges inserted and threadable cap removed; and

FIGURE 4 shows the unthreaded cap of the device with a cartridge in sheathed position.

Referring now to the drawings, numeral 5 indicates the pen barrel or shaft fabricated generally of plastic material and, preferably, having transparency suiiicient to allow the direct visual observation of its innerly contained cartridges. The barrel or shaft 5 is centrally hollow as indicated at 6 for the axially longitudinally housing of a cartridge 7 which is insertable somewhat snugly and with slight friction into sheath 8. The sheath is a fixed component part of the pens cap or stopper 9 which is preferably suitably threaded, as shown at 10. The cap 9 is to be threaded onto the upper terminal 5a of the pen barrel, opposite to the tapered end 5b. The tapered end is centrally opened at 11 to permit the sheathed cartridge to protrude therethrough. The central housing 6 containing the cartridge in writing position 7 is surrounded by a cross-sectionally circular wall 12 and has an inner diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the sheath 8, so as to contain it snugly. Between the Wall 12 and the inner surface of the shaft 5 of the pen there is provided an annularly longitudinal section 13 having radial connectors 14 for reinforcement purposes. The inner surface of the barrel possesses a plurality of parallel Patented Mar. 2l, 1967 and inwardly protruding ribs 15 extending from the upper portion of the barrel to the opposite terminal 16 of the annulus 13.

The typically illustrated ball point pen shows twelve longitudinal ribs 15 on the inner surface of the barrel. This gives the pen many longitudinal grooves 17 to contain an equal number of cartridges 18 within the pen shaft.

The operation of the ball point writing implement of the present invention may be readily visualized and understood from the above description of the device. After the insertion of a cartridge into sheath 8 of cap or stopper 9, the cartridge is inserted into housing 6 and the cap is fixedly threaded on the end 5a of the pen shaft or barrel. The screwing action of the cap causes the writing tip 7a of the cartridge 7, which is secured at 8a to the sheath to protrude through aperture 11 of the pen shaft and to be ready for use. All other cartridges 18, stored in the compartments surrounding housing 6, may replace cartridge '7 by simply removing and exchanging them for one another.

The transparency of the conventionally molded pen shaft will enable the user to select very readily the desired stored cartridge, especially if these cartridges are color-identifiable. As stated hereabove, the present device is particularly suitable for use by custom designers, sketchers, artists, and the like, who generally employ a considerable variety of colors.

It is to be understood that the number of availably stored cartridges within the shaft of the ball point pen may vary considerably Without departing from the scope of the invention. Similarly, the external appearance of the shaft may vary, the illustrated one being geometrically dodecagonal in its cross-sectional shape. It is equally understood that many improvements and modifications of the present device are within the skill of the artisan and, therefore, fully within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

In a ball-point pen the combination of: a longitudinal container tapered and perforated at one extremity and fully open at the other extremity; an integral axially positioned longitudinal housing within said container for receiving a cartridge and having an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of said ink cartridge; a cap snugly connectable to the internal surface of said container at said fully open extremity thereof and an integral axial, hollow sheath for snugly retaining therein the nonwriting extremity of said ink cartridge, said sheath being partially insertable into said housing; a plurality of cartridge receptacles positioned longitudinally in .the annulus between the outer surface of said housing and the inner surface of said container, each receptacle being separated from the adjoining one by means of ribs protruding inwardly from said inner surface of said container, the lower extremity of said receptacles ending at the junction of the tapered and non-tapered portions of said container.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,959,226 5/ 1934 Barany 1Z0-14.9

2,512,273 6/1950 Harvey 1Z0-14.3

2,8653 34 12/ 1958 Radzinsky 120-42.12

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,011,011 4/1952 France.

LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner. 

